HOUSTON — Former Oklahoma State quarterback Bobby Reid said Friday he will transfer to Texas Southern for his final season rather than keep himself eligible for the NFL draft.

Reid, who decided to leave the Cowboys after a junior season in which he was benched after two games, made the decision hours after the NCAA granted him a waiver to transfer to a Championship Subdivision school.

Reid's decision was first reported by Houston television station KRIV.

"I think this is the best route to take," Reid told KRIV.

Reid entered last season seemingly entrenched as the Cowboys' starter, having held the job since midway through his freshman season. But he left a Sept. 8 game against Florida Atlantic with an injury, opening the door for Zac Robinson, who started Oklahoma State's last 11 games.

Reid, who went to high school at Galena Park North Shore in suburban Houston, played only sparingly after his demotion.

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy's much-publicized tirade directed at a newspaper columnist last season was about a story critical of Reid.